Tadashi Shoji's Number-One Rule for Eveningwear

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Ever the nomad, Tadashi Shoji takes inspiration from his travels, but for fall, the designer took it a step further—or back, we should say—to pre-revolutionary Russia. "When I was young, about 18 or 19, I read all the Dostoyevsky novels, which made me want to go to St. Petersburg. So I went, and I was so inspired."

The Fall 2013 collection tells the story of exiled royalty escaping to Siberia with gowns that are both opulent and folkloric—perfect for a mid-nineteenth-century snow princess. Shoji's signature lace detailing is modernized, however, with his use of neoprene (seen on this pink dress), a new material the designer—and elegant formalwear altogether.

We may not have the type of red-carpet occasion that calls for one of Shoji's creations on our calendars, but we wanted to know if the dress designer had any universal rules for eveningwear. He does, and it's a tip that bears repeating: "Don't wear dresses that are too tight. A size number is just a number. If the fit is comfortable, it will look more elegant."